Tanker has a heart problem

I can't tell you anything about heart problems, but I do hope that everything works out for you and Tanker. *healthy wishes*

Thanks for the good wishes, marlania.
 
I just noticed there is a thread on heart murmurs from last week (don't know how I missed that!) and I also searched on the old board and found lots of threads so my head is spinning with new information. 
 
I'll just have to sit tight until all the tests are completed next week to find out the severity of Tank's condition. Gosh, I worry about these dogs every bit as much as I worry about my kids!

Sandra -- how close are you to Cornell?  They are cutting edge and often VERY VERY reasonable.  A friend of mine from Jamestown took her dog there expecting $2000 + for allergy testing (cos her vet told her he'd charge $2500+) -- and it was $320, including the vet visit and everything they did.
 
When you get into heart testing the more you know the better you're off. 
 
My other suggestion would be to back this all up with a TCVM vet - acupuncture works incredibly well on a heart dog as we found with Ms. Socks.  [linkhttp://www.chi-institute.com]http://www.chi-institute.com[/link] has a good locator and there are several TCVM vets in upstate (which covers most of NY in reality *grin*).  [btw originally I'm from Olean, h.s. in Wellsville, college SUNY Cobleskill and my folks are in Jamestown, so you can't crawl into a corner of upstate I don't know! LOL  'cept I hate snow so I wound up in FL]

I am a little over an hour away from Ithaca.  I know of two women in my office who have taken pets there for specialized care.  It is a great resource and we are lucky to have it close by.
 
The tests they will be running on Tank next week are going to cost me $615, but $148 of that I was going to have done anyway (blood work, office visit etc.) and had saved up for.  I will have to charge some of the tests on our emergency credit card, which I hate to do as my poor DH has been working 2 jobs for the past year to pay down our debt, but we both agree that this is an emergency!
 
When I can afford to, I will look into holistic medicine, too.  Thanks for all your help.

I really don't have any experience--except we had a 5 year old golden drop dead of a heart attack and there had never  been any indication of heart problems.  It took me and our vet by surprise.  So I can't really offer any thoughts, except I just want to wish you and your guy the best of luck.

Sandra, how sad and what a shock it must have been for you!
 
When you have an older dog you kind of expect for something major to go wrong at any moment.  We adopted Tank when he was nine- the internet ad described him as "middle aged".  I was thinking he was 5ish.  When I found out he was nine I told my DH that maybe we should reconsider, since we were bound to have huge vet bills while both our girls are in college and we can least afford it.  For a minute we considered picking out a different dog, but I thought that his age was probably the reason that he had never been adopted and thats not really fair.  Its not his fault he is older and in need of a home.  In fact, it almost makes him more deserving so we went ahead with the adoption thinking that we would just enjoy whatever time we have with him.  He is a great dog and we will never regret having him join our family, even though it will be a financial burden. 

There's a couple of GREAT holistic vets in your area.  Don't think you have to be rich to do the holistic thing tho -- the charge is "different" than traditional vet medicine. 
 
Where a regular vet will charge you like $40 for an 'office visit' and then a ton of tests -- the holistic vet will likely charge $100 for an 'initial visit' and then some specific charge for a follow up (like $35 or $40).
 
BUT the holistic vet is going to *treat* for that too -- like acupuncture or whatever their modality is -- not a 5 minute visit.  Usually more like 1/2 hour to an hour and usually over an hour for an initial consult.  Typically not any testing -- just treatment.
 
And it can have incredibly positive effects -- it was one of THE best things we did for Ms. Sock's heart!!

Callie- last summer when I thought Roxy had kidney problems I researched holistic vets and found three or four, but it turns out I didn't need to go that route.  As I recall, I couldn't decide which was best.  When I get home tonite I'll PM you and see what you think.  Thanks!

My theory is to call them -- usually by the time I talk to someone on the phone (like the receptionist) either I think 'Hmm, I like them' or 'nope -- not til Antarctica melts!'
 
If any of them are recommended by the Chi Institute that would be where I'd start.  Dr. Xie is pretty picky

Update- Some of Tanker's test results are in.  Good news is that his blood pressure is fine, thyroid is fine, blood work came back fine and ECG showed no irregularities, heart rate is fine.  At this time, there is no fluid around his heart so he doesn't need medication, but it does look enlarged (right side) on the Xrays (thats the bad news).  We are going for an ultrasound on Wednesday to find out more.

Glad to hear that!  Sending good thoughts to you guys!
 
Tanker is very lucky to have had you come into his life, and I know he is very grateful to you for taking good care of him... your right, its not his fault.  But lucky him!  And Im sure he'll be worth every penny []

Don't let the enlarged heart throw you -- I've had dogs live with them for MANY MANY MANY years.  Could also be from the heartworms.  The test results are good.  Tell Tanker Aunt Callie sends good scratches right behind the ears.

Thanks for the good thoughts and scratches. 
 
I think the vet is concerned that a valve is failing pretty quickly.  One year ago Tank didn't have any murmur and now he has one that is grade 3 (he never had heartworm).  The ultrasound on Wednesday will tell us more.

Well, had the ultrasound yesterday.  Here are results.  Tanker has mitral valve disease.  It seems that he has had a rupture of his chordae tendineae and his mitral valve is slightly bowed (heading towards prolapse?).  His heart is only very slightly enlarged.  I'm not sure what all that means in terms of his prognosis or treatment, since I am waiting to hear from my vet.  I'll update again after I have spoken to her.